Rail breaker



Aug. 28, 1928. 1,682,633

H. J. SCHRADER RAIL BREAKER Filed Sept. 2, 1927 w. J 314W q oi h woo (Z607! radar.

Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN J. SCHRADER, OF ATKINSON, NEBRASKA.

RAIL BREAKER.

Application filed September 2, 1927. Serial No. 217,240.

The invention aims to provide a new and improved device for use in breaking railway rails at desired points, after they have been suitably weakened, for instance with a chisel 5 and sledge, and a device constructed in accordance with my invention has in actual practice been found to be ver eflicient and desirable, permittin the brea ing of a plurality of rails in the time ordinarily consumed in the cuttin or breaking of one rail with a chisel and s edge.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter herein after described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying rawing.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly broken away and in section showing the manner of using the rail breaker.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective View.

The drawing above briefly described, illustrates the preferred form of construction and while this construction will be herein specifically explained, it is to be understood that within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

I employ a hand lever 3 of suitable length to give the required leverage. The front end portion 4 of this lever is preferably widened vertically and is longitudinally curved, providing it with cam means 5 for contact with a rail 6 to be broken. This front end of the lever is provided with a grapple for engagement with a fixed rail 7 of a track. Preferabl this grapple consists of two rail engaging ooks 8 having alined e es 9 at their upper ends, said eyes bein p0- sitioned in a slot 10 formed longitudinal y in the front portion of the lever and opening through its upper and lower edges and through its front end. A rivet 11 or other desired pivot passes transversely through the front portion of the lever 3 and through the eyes 9, pivotally connecting the grapple hooks 8 with said lever. The lower ends of the hooks are curved inwardly and upwardly so that when said ends are engaged with the up or side of the head of the rail, the hooks wi be spread apart or opened to permit the head of the rail to enter between the hooks. As soon as the ends of the hooks pass the head of the rail the hooks will automatically swing inwardly or toward each other and become engaged with the underside of the rail head. By thus forming the hooks it will be seen that it is not necessary to touch the hooks themselves when connecting the same with the rail.

In order to break a rail, "opposite sides of the latter are suitably weakened for instance with a chisel and sledge, the rail is then laid on one side and supported upon spaced blocks such as 12 of Fig. 1, the grapple hooks 8 are engaged with the fixed rail 7, and the lever 3 is operated to force downwardly upon the weakened portion of the rail 6. While so forcing upon this rail, the latter may be struck with a sledge if necessary. Not only will the invention effect quick and clean breakage of the rail, but'such breakage will be accomplished in much less time than ordinarily required and with no danger to the workmen, whereas the ordinary process of cutting rails with chisel and sledge, is not only dangerous but arduous and lengthy.

If desired, instead of using the device in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the lever 3 and hooks 8 may be so swung with respect to each other as to permit contact of the concave rather than the convex portion of the lever, with the rail to be broken. When it is employed as shown in the drawing however there is a cam action exerted upon the rail in addition to the action of the lever and hence breakage may be easily effected.

I claim:

1. A rail breaker comprising an elongated lever having a longitudinal slot in its front portion which opens through its front end and its upper and lower edges, said front portion of said lever having longitudinally curved cam portions at opposite sides of said slot for contact with a rail to be broken, a pair of grapple hooks whose lower ends are shaped to grip a fixed rail of a track, the upper ends of said hooks being received in said slot and having alined eyes, and a ivot passing through the front portion of the lever and through said eyes.

2. A rail breaker comprising an elongated lever having an enlarged front end laterally curved to one side, said end having a vertical longitudinal slot and alined, transverse eccentrically disposed eyes, a transverse rivet engaged with said eyes and intersecting said slot and a pair of one piece hooks arranged upper side of the rail head whereby connection of the hooks with the rail is elTeeted solely by manipulation of the lever. In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed by signature.

HERMAN J. SCHRADER. 

